'Gun offered' by Falconio suspect

The body of Mr Falconio, pictured with Joanne Lees, was never found

A barmaid was offered a gun by the man accused of killing British tourist Peter Falconio on a remote Australian highway, a court in Darwin has heard.

The woman, who worked in a bikers' bar, gave evidence at the committal hearing of Bradley Murdoch, accused of shooting Mr Falconio, 28, from Huddersfield.

She met Mr Murdoch on a road trip and the pair took drugs together.

He then tried to sell her a revolver - a month before Mr Falconio disappeared near Alice Springs in July 2001.

Mr Murdoch, a mechanic, offered to sell her the gun and fired a round from the weapon into remote bushland.

Complete gentleman

The 28-year-old barmaid told how they took amphetamines, smoked cannabis and shared a campsite during a road trip around the Australian outback.

But she described Mr Murdoch as the complete gentleman.

The body of Mr Falconio, has not been found since he disappeared after he and his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, were allegedly tricked into stopping their camper van in the outback on 14 July, 2001.

Prosecutors have claimed he was killed during an ambush on a highway north of Alice Springs.

Earlier in the hearing two witnesses said they saw Mr Falconio alive more than a week after he is believed to have been killed.

Committal proceedings continue in Darwin to decide if Mr Murdoch should face trial.

He is also accused of abducting Ms Lees.